Forum Discussion
Best way to access Windows 365 Cloud PC from Mac?
Looking to find the best way to access a Windows 365 Cloud PC from a Mac. Clearly, I can access it by logging into the browser and running it there, but is there any way to use the Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac app to make the connection more "native" to the Mac OS environment? Any other thoughts would be welcomed as well. Thank you,
- you "Add Workspace" and subscribe with your email id. What you're probably asking is how to setup email discovery so you don't need to enter that pesky subscription URL and just use email for discovery. The process is covered here - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/rds-email-discovery
7 Replies
Hi,
Yes, you can access your Windows 365 Cloud PC from a Mac using more than just a web browser.
The recommended approach is to use the Windows App for macOS (previously Microsoft Remote Desktop). After signing in with the same work or school account that is assigned the Cloud PC, your Windows 365 Cloud PC should automatically appear in the app, allowing you to launch it directly from your Mac with a more native experience.
Benefits of using the Windows App include:
- Better integration with macOS compared to the browser experience
- Support for multiple monitors
- Improved keyboard and mouse handling
- Device redirection (printers, clipboard, local drives, etc., depending on your organization's policies)
- Easier access to multiple Cloud PCs and Azure Virtual Desktop resources from a single application
If the Cloud PC does not appear after signing in, verify that:
- You are using the latest version of the Windows App for macOS.
- You are signing in with the account that has the Windows 365 license assigned.
- Your organization has not restricted access methods through policy.
As an alternative, the browser experience at https://windows365.microsoft.com/ remains fully supported and can be useful when accessing the Cloud PC from devices where the app is not installed.
In my experience, the Windows App provides the best overall user experience on Mac and feels much closer to working on a local Windows machine.
Hope this helps! Let us know if you're using an Intel-based Mac or Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4), as there may be additional optimization tips available.
Hi northamerican!
We surfaced your question during today's episode of AMA: Windows in the Cloud. Please see the panel's answer at around 13:10.
- Remote Desktop for Mac works well with Windows 365 - we have lots of users using it. last release had a time zone bug that became apparent during daylight savings time change a month ago - but other than that it works well. Teams also works well with that client.
- Good to know. How do you set up the connection to the Cloud PC from the Mac Remote Desktop Client? I know it's seamless with the Windows Remote Desktop Client, but I can't see to figure out how to load/initiate the connection from the Mac version?
- you "Add Workspace" and subscribe with your email id. What you're probably asking is how to setup email discovery so you don't need to enter that pesky subscription URL and just use email for discovery. The process is covered here - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/rds-email-discovery
